Flecha: When did you first realize that hurricane Andrew might hit Miami?

Scott: That very day. On that very Sunday. I didn’t realize anything prior to that because I didn’t keep up with the news or anything but I realized it on the day it was supposed to happen.

Flecha: How did you respond to the threat of the hurricane?

Scott:Well, I had never been in one before so I thought it was just going to be like wind and that’s it.

Flecha: What preparations did you make?

Scott:We started boarding up our windows and getting our water and everything we thought we would needed to prepare ourselves for the storm.

Flecha: What did you anticipate the results of the hurricane to be?

Scott:A lot of wind, rain, maybe trees blown down. Things like that.

Flecha: Where were you during the hurricane?

Scott: In my bedroom.

Flecha:Who was with you during the hurricane?

Scott: My entire family.

Flecha: What happened to you during the hurricane?

Scott: Oh, god! So many things. It’s a long story. We were all sleeping right before the actual storm occurred. All of a sudden the windows started breaking and the roof started tearing off. We were all crowded in one room (my bedroom).

Flecha: How did you respond and what emotions did you feel during the hurricane?

Scott: Everyone was very emotional. A lot of crying and a lot of screaming. Things like that.

Flecha:What were your concerns or thoughts during the hurricane?

Scott:I was thinking just let this thing be over so that I would be safe.

Flecha:What was the first thing you talked about right after the hurricane?

Scott: I didn’t really think about anything. All I kept saying was look at my neighborhood, look at how destroyed it is.

Flecha: What was the first thing you did after the hurricane?

Scott: I went outside to see just what had happened.

Flecha:What were your reactions?

Scott: It was just unbelievable!

Flecha: What was your first day like after the hurricane?

Scott: It was hard because we had to clean our house and try to get ourselves together after being destroyed by such a storm. We were basically emotional but trying to pick up the pieces.

Flecha: What was the first week like?

Scott: Miserable! A lot of stress. A lot of emotions.

Flecha: Did you receive help after the hurricane?

Scott: We received help from the Red Cross and people in our neighborhood who were giving help and support like the Army troops.

Flecha: Did you provide help after the hurricane?

Scott: No. Not at all.

Flecha:: What kind of effect has Hurricane Andrew had on your life?

Scott: (A long pause) Just a lot of emotional stress that I really can’t dea1 with. Just a lot of stress. Every time I look around I just can’t believe this has happened. I have a lot of problems sleeping.

Flecha: Has the hurricane significantly changed your plans for the future?

Scott: No. I wouldn’t say so.

Flecha: Has your perspective of the world changed?

Scott:No.

Flecha: When did you first come back to work?

Scott: October 15.

Flecha: What was coming back like?

Scott:Coming back to me was like a relief. I wouldn’t have to deal with the stress at home. I wouldn’t have to deal with a lot of things.

Flecha:Describe any frustrations you experienced during the first day or first week of school.

Scott:As I said before, I didn’t really have frustrations because being here relieves my mind. This is like my escape. This is how I get away from everything. When I am at home it is just too much.

Flecha: Has the trauma of the hurricane affected your teaching?

Scott:No.

Flecha: Please describe the impact of Hurricane Andrew on your students.

Scott:Very few of the students discuss the storm. I had a couple of kids say the wind blew away the trees in my yard or the wind blew out a lot of windows in my house or teacher, did the wind take your roof away? One even asked teacher, is your house still there because the wind took my house away. They don’t really talk about it.

Flecha:What about the parents? Do the parents talk about it?

Scott:No, they don’t discuss it everyone wants to forget it.

Flecha: What about the teachers? Do the teachers discuss the storm among themselves?

Scott:The first week we discussed what happened to us. Our feelings before, during and after the hurricane and things like that.

Flecha: Are there any other visible changes in your students and/or colleagues as a result of Hurricane Andrew?

Scott:No. Not that I can see.

Flecha: Are there any positive outcomes you have seen as a result of the hurricane?

Scott: No. I don’t think so.

Flecha: Is there anything else that you would like to add that I haven’t asked regarding the hurricane?

Scott:I just want to add that I have been under so much stress. It is hard for a person to really deal with something like this. I am emotionally drained.

This was a difficult interview because the interviewee was very upset and stressed out. She consented to do the interview because she thought she could handle talking about the hurricane but she could not. After the tape was turned off, she spoke more freely and did not give me one word or one sentence responses to my questions. She gave me permission to use her words.

Scott:I have been walking around in a daze. I say it hasn’t affected me, when in actuality it has devastated me and I can’t deal with it. I keep trying to escape, trying to run away. But I can’t. It’s everywhere. I am seeing a counselor because I can’t sleep , I’m not eating properly and I am emotionally drained. The children provide a temporary escape, a distraction, but it is still there it is never going to go away. When I hear the wind or the rain begins to fall, I think the hurricane might be coming back. I think all the teachers are in a daze too. Everyone is trying to suppress everything but the scary part is that all of this will resurface when we least expect it. No one is honestly dealing with their feelings. Everyone is trying to hide. But we can only wear a mask for so long. Our true faces will soon be revealed.